Propeller type fluid translating apparatus



Aug. 28, 1934. H. F. SCHMIDT PROPELLER TYPE FLUID TRANSLATING APPARATUS4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 30. 1930 I FIG. I.

VII/Illlfllllllll/lIl/n INVENTOR Henry Fiscbmidz ATTORNEY Aug. 28, 1934.

H. F. SCHMIDT PROPELLER TYPE FLUID TRANSLATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed Sept. 30, 1930 WITNESS.

ATTORNEY If'ROPELLER TYPE FLUID TRANSLATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 5'0,1930 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR FIG. Henry Eschmidt.

Q BY mm ATTORNEY Aug. 28, 1934. H. F. SCHMIDT 1,971,335

A FROPELLER TYPE FLUID TRANSLATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 30, 1930 4Sheets-Sheet 4 WITNESS v INVENTOR Hemcy v BY (21.45 M

TORNEY Patented Aug. 28, 1934 PATENT OFFICE PROPELLER TYPE FLUIDTRANSLA'I'ING APPARATUS Henry F. Schmidt, Lansdowne, Pa., assig'nor toWestinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, a corporation ofPennsylvania.

Application September 30, 1930, Serial No. 485,457

20 Claims. (Cl. 103-89) My invention relates to propeller type fluidtranslating apparatus, such as, for example, pumps and blowers and ithas for an object to provide apparatus of the character designated whichshall operate more effectively, reliably and efliciently than apparatusof this character heretofore provided.

More particularly, my invention relates to propeller type fluidtranslating apparatus of the type embodying a casing providing a passagehaving straight and curved portions with a propeller and guide vanestructure arranged in the straight portion, and it has for an object toprovide the curved portion with a splitter guide vane and to arrange thelatter so that the propeller and its guide vane may be readily removed.

In the. present application, I provide an improved structure forsupporting the guide vane structure in the casing whereby, not only maythe same be removed from the casing without involving access to theinterior of .the latter but, when assembled in the casing, it issofastened v therein that the movement of the fluid through the casingisineflective to displacethe guide vane structure axially of the casing.

It is, therefore, a more particular object of my invention to' providean improved form of securing means for the propeller'guide vanestructure, which supporting means shall afford ready removal of theguide vane structure from the casing without involving access to theinterior of the casing.

In my aforesaid copending application, I also provide, in the dischargeor elbow portion of the casing, a splitter guide vane in order that thefluid may circulate through the elbow portion of the casing with aminimum amount of resistance and without the creation of turbulence 'oreddy currents. In my prior application, the splitter guide vane extendsthrough only part of the elbow portion of the casing in order not tointerfere with the removal of the propeller and the splitter guide vanestructure.

In the present application, I disclose a form of splitter guide vanestructure which may extend throughout the entire elbow portion of thecasing and which, at the same time, does not interfere with the removalof the propeller and the propeller guide vane structure. In accord- 50ance with the present invention, I provide a fixed splitter guide vanein the discharge end of the elbow portion of the casing, and I furtherprovide a second and complementary splitter guide vane in the-remainderof the elbow portion, the latter splitter guide vane being carried bythe guide vane structure in the elbow or discharge portion of the casingin. order to decrease the resistance to the flow of the fluid throughthe casing and in order to avoid the creation of turbulence or eddycurrents.

These and other objects are effected by my invention, as will beapparent from the following description and claims taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, forming a partof this application, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is an assembly view of one form of fluid translating apparatus orpump arrangedin accordance with my invention together with its drivingmotor;

Fig. 2 is a view, in sectional elevation, of the pump shown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are partial, sectional views taken on the lines III-IIIand IVIV of Fig. 2, respectively;

Fig. 5 is a detail view. in cross section, of the zeig ivable plug whichis fitted in the pump Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the pump plugshown in Fig. 5 and is taken on the line VIVI of the latter figure;

Fig. 7 is a detail view, in cross section, of the discharge portion ofthe pump body;

Fig. 8 is a view, in side elevation, of the portion of the pump bodyshown in Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the pump plug looking at the sidethereof which forms the fluid passageway through the pump;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view looking at the under side of the plug;and,

Fig. 11 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showingthe pump in the process 31' removal of the internal parts from the pumpody.

Referring to 'Fig. 1, I show an intake tunnel 20, a discharge tunnel 21and, located between the tunnels, a pump 22. Connected between theintake tunnel 20 and the pump 22 is a valve 23 for isolating the pumpfrom the intake tunnel. Projecting upwardlyfrom the pump is a pump driveshaft 24 which is-connected, by means of suitable couplings 25 and amotor drive shaft 26 to a suitable driving motor 27. The latter may besupported upon a foundation separate from the pump, as shown at 28. Inorder to. no

support the drive shaft radially, suitable steady bearings 29 areprovided while a suitable thrust bearing 29', is embodied in the motor27 in order to properly support the drive shaft structure in an axialdirection.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the pump 22 embodies a casing 30 composed of aninlet section 31 and a discharge section 32 suitably connected togetherby a circumferentially-extending joint 33. An inlet 34 for the admissionof fluid is provided at the lower end of the inlet section 31 while alaterally-projecting outlet 35 is provided in the end of the dischargesection 32.

The inlet section 31 of the pump casing embodies a cylindrical inletportion 36 of uniform bore and a diverging portion 37. The pump driveshaft 24 extends axially through the casing and has connected thereto,in the portion 36 of the casing, a propeller 38. The latter is fixedlysecured to the drive shaft 24 by means of a faired nut 39 in a mannerwell known in the art.

Disposed adjacent to the propeller and on the discharge side thereof isa propeller guide vane structure 41. The latter is composed of anannular hub 42 from which a plurality of circumferentially spaced,outwardly extending guide vanes 43 project. -As shown in Fig. 11, the

latter are so formed that, as the fluid traverses them in a directionfrom their entrant edges, that is, the edges adjacent the propeller to.their discharge edges, that is, the edges remote from the propeller, itis so guided that the twist or swirl imparted to the water by thepropeller is removed. For a detailed description of the form of theseguide vanes, reference may be had to my copending application, SerialNo. 277,650, filed May 14, 1928, entitled Propeller blower and as signedto the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company.

The outer or circumferential edges of each of the guide vanes 43 are soinclined with respect to the axis of the drive shaft, as to conform withthe divergence .of the portion 37 of the casing as these edges bearagainst the inner surface of the casing. I prefer to form the guidevanes 43 and the annular hub 42 as a single or unitary structurecomposed of some relatively inexpensive metal, such as, for example,cast iron. However, as the edges of the guide vanes bear against thecasing, they are'equipped, as shown in Fig. 4, with bearing strips 44 ofsome non-rusting metal, such as, for example, bronze. The bronze strips44 may be secured to the guide vanes 43 in any approved manner, such as,for

example, by welding. Because of the bronze strips 44, the guide vanestructure 43 is prevented from adhering to or freezing in the casingand, hence, is always readily removable.

The annular hub 42 of the propeller guide vane structure 41 has fittedtherein a bearing 45 which structure being peculiarly suitable for thispur-- pose because of the inherent structural rigidity 'afiorded by thevanes and the taper seating fit of the structure with respectto thecasing.

As shown particularly in Figs. 7 and 8, the discharge section 32 of thepump casing embodies an axially-extending portion 47 disposed inalignment with the'inlet section 31 of the pump casing and an elbow ordischarge portion 48 It will,

which projects laterally from the axially-extending portion. Fixed inthe outlet end of the elbow portion 48 is a curved guide vane 49 whichextends, longitudi'nally, in the direction of the flow of the fluidthrough the casing, and, transversely, across the diameter of the pumpoutlet. The entrant end 51 of the guide vane 49 is made arcuate in shapeand substantially conforms with the circumference of the cylinderdefined by the axially-extending portion of the pump casing. As aresult, the guide vane 49 does not obstruct the passage or withdrawal ofthe propeller guide vanestructure 41 and the propeller 38 through theaxialbore of the pump body and through the flanged openiend 52 of thecasing section 32.

Fitted within the open end 52 of the discharg section 32 of the pumpcasing is a pump plug 53. The latter, as shown particularly in Figs. 2and 5, is provided with a supporting flange 54 detachably supported uponthe flanged opening 52 of the pump casing by some means, such as, forexample, bolts 55. The plug 53 embodies an outer cylindrical wall 56telescopically disposed within the axially-extending portion 47 of thedischarge section of the pump casing. The wall 56 is disposed in closelyspaced relation with the wall of the .pump casing and it is providedwith an enlarged diametral portion 57 which closely fits the bore of thepump casing.

The wall 56 extends, in an axial direction, from the upper supportingflange 52 to the intermediate flange 33. Near the upper supportingflange 52, the wall 56 of the plug forms a complete circle while, nearthe intermediate flange 33, it forms a semi-circle, see Fig. 10. Inother words, the wall 56 maybe said to be truncated or cut away, asindicated by the line 58 in Fig. 2. In order to close off the open endof the plug 53, the latter is provided with a closure wall 59. Thisclosure wall is so inclined as well as recessed, that its inner surfacecloses the axially-extending portion of the casing and joins the elbowportion to the axially-extending portion. In other words, the wall 59 isso formed as to maintain a continuity of surface of the elbow portionwith the axial portion. The closure wall'59 extends, transversely,between the truncated edges of the annular wall 56 and it is so recessedthat, at its central axis, it assumes the position of the line indicatedby the reference character 59 in Fig. 2. The plug 53, therefore,cooperates with the casing to provide, in effect, a single, continuousconduit or passage which extends in an axial direction and which thengently curves or bends outward 1 in a lateral or radial direction. Inorder to accommodate the drive shaft 24, the plug 53 is provided with anaxially-extending opening surrounded by an inner, annular wall 60 whichjoins with the closure wall 59 and which projects outwardly therefrom.

Fitted between the pump shaft 24 and the inner annular wall 60 of theplug 53 is a stufling box or gland member 62 for preventing leakage,

of fluid outwardly of the pump casing. Supported shown in Figs. 6 and10, the entrant portion 64 of the splitter guide vane 63 extendsdiametrically across the plug and joins the semi-annular ends of thewall 56.

The discharge edge portion 65 of the splitter uide vane 63 is convex andis made to conform with the concave entrant edge of the guide vane 49.The splitter guide vane 63 is supported from the wall 59 of the plug bymeans of a boss 66 which is provided with a hollow interior 6'? in orderto permit passage of the pump vdrive shaft ,therethrough. The boss 66,as shown particularly in Fig. 3 is ichthyoidal in cross-section, themajor axis extending in the direction of the flow of the fluid so thatit offers a minimum amount of resistance to the passage of the fluid.Inasmuch as the boss 66 surrounds the pump drive shaft 24, it serves asa protective casing for the latter.

As shown particularly in Fig. 10, there is formed about the inletportion of the guide vane 63 an annular projection 68 of the boss 66.The annular projection 68 extends toward the annular hub 42 of the guidevane structure 41 and is disposed in spaced relation with respectthereto. Interposed between the projecting boss 68 and the upper lateralface of the hub member 42 of the guide vane structure is a spring 69which surrounds the shaft and is so arranged that, when the plug 53 isassembled in the pump casing, it is under compression and, therefore,serves to thrust the guide vane structure 41 into the bore of thediverging portion of the casing.

From the foregoing, it willbe apparent that the plug 53 embodies a wall59 which provides a closure for the casing and which cooperates to formthe elbow portion of the casing. The plug 53 also embodies the splitterguide vane 63, which splitter guide vane cooperates to direct thepassage ,of the fluid through the elbow portion. In addition, the plug53 provides a protective casing for the pump drive shaft 24, whichprotective casing extends from outside of the wall 59 of the plug to thevicinity of the hub of the propeller guide vane structure 41.

In view of the fact that the inner surface of the annular wall 56 of theplug conforms with the bore 71 of the pump body, the bore 72 of thelower end of the discharge section of the pump casing is necessarily oflarger diameter than the bore 71. As stated heretofore, the wall 56 issemicircular in shape at its end adjacent the intermediate joint 33. I,therefore, provide a semi-circular filler piece '73 having a taperedbore, one end of .which conforms with the casing section 31 and theother end of which approaches the bore of the casing section 32. Thefiller piece 73 serves to avoid any sudden enlargement of the fiowpassage of the pump and any resultant eddying of the fluid passingthrough the pump.

The operation of my apparatus will be apparent from the foregoingdescription. Upon the motor 27 being energized, the motor shaft 26 andthe pump shaft 24 is rotated. Rotation of this shaft ing. structureeffects rotation of the propeller 38 and the fluid is circulated fromthe inlet 34 toward the outlet 35. As shown, the elbow portion of thepump bodyjis fitted with a stationary splitter guide vane structurewhich extends substantially throughout the entire length of the elbowportion in order that the fluid may pass through the latter portion withlittle disturbance and without eddy or shock losses. The propeller guidevane structure 41 serves to remove the twist or swirl from the water asitis discharged from the propeller and before it reaches the elbowportion of the casing. Leakage of water out of the pump casing aroundthe drive shaft 24 is prevented by the gland 62.

The drive shaft structure embodying the pump shaft 24 and the motorshaft 26 is very effectively supported by the thrust bearing 29 embodiedin the motor 2'7 and by the steady bearings 29 located between the pumpand themotor and by the bearings 45 and 70 in the pump. The guide vanestructure 41 is fitted within the portion 37 of the pump casing and, asthe latter portion diverges in the direction of flow, the velocity ofthe fluid discharged by the propeller and passing through this portionis reduced and some of the velocity energy of the water is convertedinto energy in the form of increased static pressure.

In order to effect disassembly of the pump, the coupling 25 isdisconnected and the motor shaft 26 removed. The bolts 55 may then bedisconnected and the tension on the spring 69 may, in some instances,raise the plug a slight distance. After removal of the plug, the driveshaft 24 together with the propeller guide vane structure 41 and thepropeller 38 assembled thereon may be withdrawn, as a single assembly,through the opening 52 of the pump casing (see Fig. 11) My arrangementis such that, even though I provide a guide vane extending throughoutthe elbow portion of the casing, nevertheless, a portion of this guidevane structure is removable with the plug so that the guide vanestructure does not, in any vway, interfere with the removal of thepropeller guide vane structure and the propeller. Furthermore, inasmuchas the propeller guide vane structure 41 is freely supported in thecasing, it may be removed without involving access to the interior ofthe casing. However, the arrangement is such that, when the pump isassembled, the spring 69 serves to retain the propeller guide vanestructure 41 on its seat as provided by the diverging portion 37 of thecasing so that the energy of the fluid flowing through the pump casingis unable to dislocate the propeller guide vane structure.

While I have disclosed the present embodiment of my invention withparticular reference to its application as a pump, it-is to beunderstood that apparatus of the foregoing character is equally welladapted. for translating gaseous media as well as liquid media, and,while I have shown the axial portion of the pump as disposed in avertical position, it will be apparent that the form of pumpingapparatus disclosed is equally effective in other positions.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various changes and modifications, without departing from the spiritthereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall beplaced thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specificallyset forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In fluid translating apparatus, the combination of a casing having anaxially-extending portion and an intersecting elbow portion projectinglaterally from the axially-extending portion and forming with one end'ofthe latter a fluid passageway, a removable closure member provided inthe other end of the axially-extending portion of the casing, apropeller for circulating fluid through the passageway, and a sectional,curved guide vane structure disposed in the elbow portion of thepassageway and extending in the direction of fluid flow, one section ofsaid guide vane structure being fixed in the casing and the othersection of said guide vane structure being removable through the end ofthe casing provided with the removable closure member.

2. In-fluid translating apparatus, the combination of a casing having anaxiallyrextending portion and an intersecting elbow portion projectinglaterally from the axially-extending portion and forming with one end ofthe latter a fluid passageway, a removable closure member provided inthe other end of the axially-extending portion of the casing, saidremovable closure member embodying a semi-annular wall telescopicallydisposed within the axially-extending'portion of the casing and locatedadjacent to the inner surface thereof, a guide vane disposed diametrically across part of the elbow portion of the fluid passageway,said guide vane being curved in the direction of the passage and saidguide vane joining, at one end portion thereof, the marginal endportions of the semi-annular wall, and a propeller disposed in thecasing for circulating fluid through the passageway.

3. In fluid translating apparatus, the combination of a casing having anaxially-extending portion and an intersecting elbow portion projectinglaterally from the axially-extending portion and forming with one end ofthe latter a fluid passageway, a removable closure member provided inthe other end of the axially-extending portion of the casing, apropeller disposed in the casing for circulatingfl'uid through thepassageway, said removable closure member embodying a truncated, annularwall telescopically disposed within the axially-extending portion of thecasing and a transversely-disposed wall joining the truncated marginalportions of the annular Wall, said transverse wall being so inclined andso recessed as to define a portion of the elbow portion of the fluidpassageway, a curved guide vane disposed in the elbow portion of thefluid passageway, said guide vane extending diametrically across thepassageway and joining, at one end thereof, opposite sides of thetruncated annular wall, and a boss disposed centrally of the fluidpassageway and extending between the transverse wall and the guide vanefor supporting the latter.

4. In fluid translating apparatus, the combination of a casing, aremovable closure member provided in the casing, a propeller forci'rculating fluid through the casing, a guide vane structure disposedadjacent to the propeller'for' removing the twist or swirl from thefluid circulated thereby, a seat for the propeller guide vane structureformed in the casing, and means responsive to assembly'of the removableclosure member in the casing for retaining the propeller guide vanestructure in fixed position upon its seat.

5. In fluid translating apparatus, the combination of a casing, aremovable closure member provided in the casing, a propeller forcirculating fluid through the casing, a guide vane structure disposedadjacent to the propeller for removing the twist or swirl of the fluidcirculated thereby, a seat for the propeller guide vane structure formedin the casing, and flexible means interposed between the removableclosure member and the propeller guide vane structure for retaining thelatter in fixed axial position upon its seat.

6. In fluid translating apparatus, the combination of a casing forming afluid passageway, a removable closure member provided in the easing, apropeller disposed in the casing for circulating fluid through thepassageway, a drive shaft projecting through the removable closuremember and secured to the propeller, a guide vane structure freelyassembled upon the drive shaft, seating means for the guide vanestructure embodied in the casing, and resilient means interposed betweenthe removable closure member'and the guide vane structure for retainingthe latter in position upon its seating means.

7. In fluid translating apparatus, the combination of a casing forming afluid passageway, a removable closure member provided in the casing, apropeller disposed in the casing for circulating fluid through thepassageway, a shaft projecting through the removable closure member andconnecting with the propeller, a guide vane structure disposed adjacentto the propeller, said guide vane structure embodying a central annulusmember surrounding the drive shaft and a plurality ofcircumferentially-spaced, radially-extending guide vanes, meansproviding a seat for the guide vane structure in the casing, and ineansresponsive, upon assembly of the removable closure member in the casing,for retaining the guide vane structure in fixed axial position upon itsseat.

8. In fluid translating apparatus, the com-1" bmaition of a casingforming a fluid. passageway, a removable closure member provided in theeasing, a propeller disposed in the casing forcirculating fluid throughthe passageway, a. drive shaft projecting through the removable closuremember and secured t0' the propeller,-a guide vane structure disposed-adjacent to the. propeller, said guide vane structure embodying acentral annulus memberj surrounding. the drive shaft and a plurality ofcircumferen'tiallyspaced, radially-projecting guide vanes, a bearing forthe drive shaft disposed in the central annulus member of the guide vanestructure, a seat embodied in the casing for the guide vane structure,and a compression spring surrounding the drive shaft and interposedbetween the removable closure member and the guide vane structure forretaining the latter in position upon its seat. a

9. In fluid translating apparatus,- the combination of a casing havingan opening for facilitating assembly and disassembly of the apparatus,said casing embodying a cylindrical, divergent wall portion, adetachable closure for the opening in the casing, a propeller disposedwithin the casing for circulating fluid therethrough, a drive shaft forthe propeller extending through the detachable closure into the casing,means for fixedly securing the propeller to the drive shaft, a guidevane structure foraremoving the twist or swirl from the fluid circulatedby the propeller, said guide vane structure embodying a central hubportion encompassing the drive shaft and a plurality ofcircumferentially-spaced guide vanes having their outer tip portionsdirectly engaging the diverging wall portion of the casing and means foraxially biasing the guide vane structure to maintain said outer tipportions in engagement with the diverging wall portion against the forceof fluid flow, said drive shaft, propeller and guide vane structurebeing removable with the detachable closure as a single assembly.

10. In fluid translating apparatus, the combination of a casing havingan axially-extending portion and an intersecting elbow portionprojecting laterally from the axially-extending portion and forming withone end of the latter a fluid. passageway, a removable closure memberproway for circulating fluid therethrough, a drive shaft for thepropeller extending through the removable closure member into' thecasing, a removable guide vane structure disposed in the passagewayadjacent tothe propeller, the portion of the casing surrounding theguide vane structure being of divergent form,said guide vane structureembodying a central hub member and a plurality of Icircumferentially-spaced guide vanes projecting radially from the hubmember and having their tip portions bearing directly against thedivergent portion of the casing, said guide vane structure being freelyassembled on the drive shaft adjacent to the propeller and beingdisposed in and freely supported by the divergent portion of the casing,and means for applying force axially against the guide vane structure tomaintain the tip portions thereof firmly in said divergent portionagainst the force of the flow of fluid through the passageway.

11. In fluid translating apparatus, a casing providing a passage havingstraight and curved portions and having an opening extending through thewall thereof, said opening being axially alined with the straightportion of the passage, 9. removable closure member closing the openingand connected to the casing, said closure memberhaving an inner curvedsurface which, when the closure member is in place, forms an element ofthe curved surface of the curvedportion of the passage, a drive shaftextending through said closure member into the straight portion of thepassage, a propeller connected to the drive shaft and insertable andremovable through said opening, and means for reducing turning losses inthe curved portion of the passage including a splitter vane carried bythe closure member and curved correspondingly to the curvature of thepassage, said splitter vane being constructed and arranged to passthrough said opening incident to removal or assembly of the closuremember.

12. In fluid translating apparatus, a casing providing a passage havingstraight and curved portions; means carried by the casing and defining asocket which opens into said passage and D 'which is axially alined withthe straight portion of the latter; said socket including internalguiding and positioning surfaces; a plug having external guiding andpositioning surfaces cooperating withthe internal guiding andpositioning surfaces of the socket and having an inner curved surfacewhich forms an element of the curved surface of the curved portion ofthe passage; a drive shaft extending through the plug; a propellerconnected to the drive shaft and disposed in the straight portion ofsaid passage; said propeller being insertable into and removable fromthe passage through said socket; and means for reducing turning lossesin the curved portion of the passage including a splitter vane carriedby the plug; said splitter vane having its boundaries within theprojected area of the socket opening to provide for insertion andremoval thereof through the latter. 7 r

13. In fluid translating apparatus, a casing providing a passage havingstraight and curved portions and having an opening extending throughthewall thereof, said opening being axially alined with the straightportion of the passage, a removable closure member for said opening, apropeller in the straight portion of said =passage, and a sectional,curved splitter guide the passage and extending in the direction offluid flow, one section of said splitter guide vane structure beingfixed in the casing and the other section of said guide vane structurebeing carried by the closuremember and being removable and insertabletherewith through said opening.

14. The combination as claimed in claim 13' wherein the splitter guidevane sections are disposed in end-to-end relation and together extendfor substantially the full length of the curved portion of the passage.

15'. The combination as claimed in claim 13 wherein the adjacent ends ofthe splitter guide vane sections are inter-fitted, the removable sectionhaving a convex end fitting a concave end of the fixed section.

16. In fluid translating apparatus, a casing providing a passage havingstraight and curved porfining portion of the wall; a closure member forsaid opening having an inner curved surface which is an element of thesurface defining the curved passage; an extension springing from thecurved surface of the closure member; a splitter vane carried by theextension; said splitter vane extending diametrically of the passage andnormally with respect to the plane of the curved axis of the passage andbeing curveddengthwise conformably to the curvature of the latter; saidclosure member, the extension, and the splitter vane having an openingextending therethrough and co-axial with the straight portion of thepassage; a shaft extending through the last-named opening; a propellerdisposed in the straight portion of said passage and connected to theshaft; a guide vane structure peripherally fitting interiorly of thestraight portion of said passage and disposed between the propeller andthe splitter vane; and bearings for the drive shaft carried by the guidevane structure and .by said cover member; said propeller, the guide vanestructure, and the splitter vane being insertable and removable throughthe opening in said casing wall.

17. The combination as claimed in claim 16 wherein the extension forsupporting the splitter vane is streamlined in the plane of the curvedaxis.

18. In fluid translating apparatus; a casing having an opening forfacilitating assembly and disassembly of the apparatus; said casingembodying a cylindrical wall portion which diverges toward said opening;a detachable closure for the opening in the casing; a propeller disposedwithin the casing for circulating fluid therethrough; a drive shaft forthe propeller extending through the detachable closure into the cam'ng;means for fixedly securing the propeller to the drive shaft; astructurally rigid guide vane structure having a central hub andperipherally fitting said divergent wall portion and centered by thelatter, the guide vane structure being disposed adjacent to thepropeller for removing the twist or swirl from the fiuid circulated bythe latter; and bearing means for said drive shaft including a bearingprovided by the hub of said guide vane structure; said drive shaft,propeller, and guide vane structure comprising an aggregate removableand insertable through said opening.

19. In fluid translating apparatus, a casing providing a passage havingstraight and curved portions and having an opening extending through thewall thereof; said opening being axially aligned with the straightportion'of the passage and the straight portion of the passage divergingtoward the opening; a removable closure member closing the opening andconnected to the casing; said closure member having an opening axiallyaligned with the straight portion of said passage; a drive-shaftextending through said closure member 'bpening; a peripherally divergentand structurally rigid guide vane structure seated interiorly of thedivergent portion of the passage; a propeller connected to the driveshaft at the side of the guide vane structure remote from said closuremember; a splitter vane carried by the closure member and curvedcorrespondingly to the curved passage portion; and bearing means for thedrive shaft including a bearing carried by the guide vane structure;said splitter vane, the guide vane structure, the propeller, the closuremember and the drive shaft comprising an aggregate insertable in andremovable from the casing wall opening.

20. In fluid translating apparatus, a casing providing a passage havinga lower vertical straight portion and an upper curved portion and havingan opening through the wall thereof, said vertical portion of thepassage having at least a part thereof which diverges upwardly and saidopening being axially aligned therewith, a removable closure memberclosing the opening and connected to the casing and having an innersurface which is an element of the wall surface of said curved portionof the passages, said closure member having a vertical opening axiallyaligned with the vertical portion of the passage, a vertical shaftextending through said opening, a structurally rigid guide vanestructure fitting the divergent part of said passage and centered by thelatter, a propeller connected to the lower end of the shaft below theguide vane structure, and bearing means for the drive shaft including abearing carried by said guide vane structure, said guide vane structureand the propeller being insertable and removable through said casingwall opening, and a removable splitter guide vane disposed in the curvedportion of the passage and. supported from the closure member and havingits boundary within the projected area of said opening.

HENRY F. SCHMIDT.

